Southern California -- this just in

$35,000 in reward money offered for information in arson fires

December 30, 2011 | 5:00
pm

A total of $35,000 in reward money is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for setting at least 17 fires in Hollywood and West Hollywood early Friday morning, officials said.

“Thank goodness no one was seriously injured or killed,” Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said at an afternoon news conference, where he was joined by county and West Hollywood officials. The mayor urged anyone who has information about the fires or who sees any suspicious activity to call 911.

Los Angeles County is offering a $25,000 reward for information in the case, said Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a $10,000 reward.

Yaroslavsky said there was an estimated $350,000 in property damage in West Hollywood alone from the fires. No figures were immediately available from the city of Los Angeles.

Most of the fires targeted cars directly. Others were set in apartment carports or underground parking structures.

Anyone with information about the fires is also urged to call 1-800-222-TIPS.